As you're being downvoted, here's more info on the history of Network Rail [1]. From memory, it was formed after the Potters Bar crash and realisation that Railtrack was trying to squeeze to much money out of the network.
This reminds me of the "Do not fall into the trap of anthropomorphising Larry Ellison." rant - why are people surprised the private companies find any way to squeeze every penny of profit out of the services they run, it's what they do! And in the absence of competition that will be through underinvestment and shitty services (literally).
> why are people surprised the private companies find any way to squeeze every penny of profit out of the services they run, it's what they do!
Because companies bullshit their "missions" and "goals" everywhere and repeat after me, PROPAGANDA WORKS. Even if you think it doesn't, it plants a seed somewhere in the back of your head that's very hard to dislodge and clouds your "fully rational decisions".
After hearing from a myriad channels that companies want what's best for the customer, from a myriad authority or friendly famous figures, the average person is convinced they must be right. If you ask them directly they'll agree with you, and then their actions will show the exact opposite.
Railtrack was created as a publicly owned company in 1994 and operated as such until it was privatised in 1996. It was forced into administration in 2001 (after Hatfield) and in 2002 Network Rail was created to buy its assets.
